Elizabeth Burns

Elizabeth (Betty) Jane Burns was born Feb. 18, 1919, married Jay Robert Burns, Jan. 21, 1943 and died on Dec. 27, 2009 from complications after a fall. Betty is survived by her life long love and partner of 66 years - husband Jay - and by her four children: Jay Jr., John, Susan and William and by a younger sister, Lucie Crowe.
She is dearly loved and will be missed. Betty loved people so much and lived her life expressing that love.
She grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa. in a family with 3 sisters and 2 brothers. She earned a full scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh. Shortly after graduating, she met and married Jay, a young metallurgist. During World War II - while Jay was in the military - they lived in Texas, Iowa, California and Ohio. At the start of his civilian career, they remained in Ohio, where their first two children, Jay, Jr. and John were born. They moved to Midland, Mi. and then on to St. Louis, Mo. in 1951. There, Betty and Jay added Susan and Bill to their fold and did the bulk of their child rearing.
In 1970, Betty & Jay began a new chapter of their lives with a move to Owensboro, Ky. They loved this community and became very active with new friends and community organizations. Betty immediately began teaching elementary school and went back to school. In 1972 she became the Director of Owensboro's Preschool Programs. In 1974, she received her master's degree from the University of Western Kentucky. Betty retired in 1984 but continued to be very active in supporting preschool education. In 1996, she was awarded honorary membership in the Kentucky Association for Early Childhood Education.
Betty loved sailing and crewed in competitive fresh water racing for over 10 years and spent years following, enjoying recreational sailing on the Gulf and Atlantic coastal waters. But most of all Betty loved people. She volunteered in numerous activities. Betty was one of the founders of the Mother's Morning Out at her church. She volunteered at the River Park Center and was a member of the Owensboro Symphony Auxiliary, as well as several other organizations. If she could put her own words into this notice, she would say thank you for all the love she was able to give and to receive from so many people, not only in Owensboro, but all the places she lived.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to her church, the First Presbyterian Church of Owensboro, the United Way, the P.E.O. or the Alzheimer's Association. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.